Accelerated Academic Degree Programs
Faculty
Jeff Damiano, M.A.
Associate Faculty
Biography
Academic Background:
Central Connecticut State University
Master of Arts: Biomolecular Science
Thesis – The Role of E-Cadherin in Parietal Endoderm Outgrowth Migration
Central Connecticut State University
Bachelor of Science: Biology
Concentration: Cell, Molecular and Physiology
Minor: Chemistry
Teaching Background:
Mr. Damiano has been an Associate Faculty member at Post University since fall of 2010. In addition to his teaching experience at Post University, Mr. Damiano has been an Adjunct Instructor in the Math/Science department at Naugatuck Valley Community College since spring 2010. He also served as an instructor for three semesters while employed at the Delaware Biotechnical Institute for an Experimental Biology Course. Mr. Damiano took an interest in teaching early on in his academic career. He served as an Education Assistant at NVCC for several semesters while working towards his degree.
Professional Background:
Prior to joining the faculty at Post University, Mr. Damiano was employed at the Delaware Biotechnical Institute where his research focused on cardiovascular disease and cancer. Mr. Damiano also worked for an independently owned lab for six years. He has an extensive background in the health and safety field as he served as lead safety officer in both facilities.
Teaching Philosophy:
Critical thinking sums up Mr. Damiano’s teaching philosophy. His goal is to enable students to relate biological processes to their everyday lives and gain a better understanding and appreciation of the relevance of biology.
Research/Academic Interests:
Work experience: The focus of my research was investigating the signal transduction induced by basic fibroblasts growth factor (FGF-2). Specifically, I stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells with FGF-2 to determine its effects on intracellular calcium concentrations. I also investigated the mechanism by which the calcium changes occurred. In addition, I examined the activity of a specific RhoGTPase upon stimulation with FGF-2 and the expression levels of factors that are known to induce cell migration and proliferation.
Master's Thesis: It is extremely difficult to study the events of early developmental in vivo therefore I employed the F9 tetracarcinoma cell line as a model system. F9 cells were cultured in the presence of cAMP and retinoic acid (RA) to generate a monolayer of parietal endoderm. Alternatively, F9 teratocarcinoma cells, when cultured in suspension with the addition of retinoic acid form embryoid bodies. Embryoid bodies have an inner core of undifferentiated stem cells surrounded by an outer layer of visceral endoderm. When embryoid bodies are plated on a matrix coated substrate, parietal endoderm outgrowth forms and migrates away from the embryoid body, providing an excellent in vitro model to study the events associated with the early embryo.
Through the use of Immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis I have provided evidence that suggests E-cadherin as a possible factor that may regulate migration of parietal endoderm outgrowth along with the establishment of cell polarity. Data also suggest that E-cadherin may be involved in a cross-talk mechanism with focal adhesions, regulated, in part, by the Rho-ROCK signaling pathway
Awards:
Molecular Mechanisms of Parietal Endoderm Migration, CBIA Research Grant/Scholarship Program (2006)
Outstanding Abstract Submission by a Graduate Student in Cell Function Sigma Xi Student Research Symposium and Annual Eastern Colleges Science Conference (2006)
Publications/Presentations:
J. Damiano and J. Mulrooney, The Role of E-Cadherin in Parietal Endoderm Migration, 60th Eastern Colleges Science Conference/17th Annual Xi Research Symposia, St. Josephs University, April 21-22, 2006.
Jeff Damiano and James Mulrooney, Cytotoxicity and Medical Implants, 59th Annual Eastern Colleges Science Conference, Central Connecticut State University, April 8-9, 2005
Jeff Damiano*, Stacy Azeredo*, Sara Astromowicz* and Michael Davis; 59th Annual Eastern Colleges Science Conference, Central Connecticut State University, April 8-9, 2005